July 30, 2014 – 10 a.m.

Special Message: The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team, with Pete Blume as Incident Commander, assumed command of the North Zone of the Carlton Complex at 6 a.m. today.

Current Situation:

The hot, dry weather contributed to the increase in fire activity yesterday. Temperatures reached 105F in the Methow Valley. Multiple smoke columns were visible as pockets of unburned vegetation burned within the fire perimeter. The fire was active in the Gold Creek and also the Leecher Mountain Lookout areas, but ground crews and air support helped slow the rate of spread. A planned burnout of steep jack-strawed, beetle-killed mixed conifers between Highway 20 and the south fork of Beaver Creek was not conducted yesterday due unfavorable conditions, including erratic winds. Fire activity was visible from the Pearrygin Lake area last night. Engines continue to patrol neighborhoods and respond to resident fire and smoke concerns 24 hours a day.

Today’s fire suppression priority areas include: Foggy Dew, the Leecher Mountain Lookout, and north of Highway 20 and south of the southfork of Beaver Creek. Mop-up activities continue on fire containment lines behind homes. Rehabilitation of containment lines in the valley areas has started. The Washington National Guard is supporting the fire suppression efforts by staffing road closures checkpoints.

Weather: A Haines Index of 5 is predicted for today. The Haines Index measures the stability and dryness of the air over the fire. A Haines Index of 5 indicates that there is a moderate potential for large fire growth.

Evacuations and Closures: For information on evacuations please check with the Okanogan Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Service Center (509) 846-2122.